The Otto and Ida (Smith) Loeffler House is located east of La Crosse’s traditional downtown. It is a two-story, frame residence veneered with cream brick, and was built in 1909. The house represents the Georgian Revival subtype of the Colonial Revival style.

The Loeffler House is an excellent example of Georgian Revival, reflecting the creative, pre-World War I interpretation of Federal and Georgian residences of the colonial era in the U.S. During the pre-World War I period, elements drawn from the earlier Queen Anne, or the contemporaneous Craftsman and Prairie styles, were often incorporated into the design. The Loeffler House displays distinguishing characteristics of Georgian Revival: the rectangular plan; the formal, symmetrical façade; dormers; and classical details such as the front entrance with flanking sidelights, denticulated cornices, and the pedimented portico that projects from the front porch. The two-story polygonal bay and the cottage windows are Queen Anne components, although the diamond-paned glass recalls the medieval-European-influenced windows of the colonial period. The Loeffler House also possesses wide eaves with exposed rafter tails, and a full-façade front porch, features drawn from the Craftsman and Prairie School. On the interior, the Loeffler House embodies the Georgian Revival with its central hall plan, and the simple, classical surrounds, baseboards, moldings, staircase elements, and fireplace mantelpiece.

Otto Loeffler (1853-1922) was born in Pomerania, and immigrated to Wisconsin with his parents in 1868. The family settled in Dodge County. In 1885, Otto followed his brother, Herman Loeffler, to La Crosse. The brothers ran a men’s clothing and tailoring business together until 1893. That year, Loeffler and John A. Elliott incorporated the Elliott-Loeffler Company. The business imported wines and liquors, selling them a 222 Pearl Street in downtown La Crosse. Loeffler would serve as president of the firm until his death. In 1902, Loeffler married his third wife, Ida Smith (1872-1950). She was born in La Crosse County, the daughter of German immigrants. The house at 1603 Main Street was built for the couple in 1909. Ida Loeffler lived in the house until she passed away. The Loeffler House is a private home and is not open to the public.